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Louis T Collection Acquires Its First Hotel

Feb. 2, 2015

Mantra Samui Resort Pool

SINGAPORE — The Mantra Samui Resort is about to undergo a major transformation. The boutique hotel on Thailand’s Koh Samui is not only gaining a new owner, it’s getting an entirely new hospitality group at the helm.

Louis T Collection (Louis T) recently acquired the property as the first milestone in its ambitious plan to build an expansive, curated portfolio. The innovative hospitality and building solutions company will develop Mantra into its first Louis T hotel, a brand synonymous with independent style and local charm.

The hotel group draws its inspiration from Louis T Leonowens, one of the most interesting and revered foreign characters in Thailand during the 19th Century. The avid traveler moved to Bangkok in 1862 as a boy, when his mother took the role of governess to the King Mongkut’s children. Today, Louis is remembered as a Siamese royal military captain, private timber-trading magnate and luxury hotelier.

“Given that our company history is linked to Louis T Leonowens, it makes sense that we chose to have our first property in Thailand --- a place where Louis spent the most productive years of his life and where his company still thrives today,” said Adam Simkins, Louis T’s co-founder and board member of Louis T Leonowens (Thailand) Limited. “And of course, we see strong up-trends: Koh Samui is becoming an increasingly popular destination attracting tourists from many countries.”

Located on Koh Samui’s northern coast and close to unspoiled Bophut beach, this future Louis T hotel is close enough to the island’s attractions, while far enough away to retain a sense of solitude within the verdant hills. The property overlooks the tranquil, teal waters of the Gulf of Thailand and features a 24-meter long outdoor infinity pool with unobstructed views of dense coconut palms, a full spa, an al fresco restaurant, and spacious accommodation with room sizes ranging from 50 to over 100 square meters.

A soft renovation will begin soon after the take-over. Louis T will give the property a facelift by leveraging its intergroup resources, from GETZ Building Solutions and William Montague --- a hospitality furniture design and manufacturing company. The hotel teams will also benefit from a series of trainings and technology upgrades, including changes to the website and many current operating systems.

“Being both owner and operator, this property will not only be our first brand vehicle, but also serve as a proof of concept for many innovations that we want to carry out.” said Jing Zhou, senior director of strategic planning at Louis T. “We have got a gem in our hands, and we will spend some time to craft it into a nice piece of jewelry.”